Saturday, January 12, 2008

Nano

"The car has become a secular sanctuary for the individual, his shrine to the self, his mobile Walden Pond." -- Edward McDonagh



I think I've found my new car:

From Good News Network

India's Tata Motors has unveiled what is being called the world's cheapest car — the $2,500 Nano. The four-person sedan, also called the People's Car meets all safety and environmental requirements, said the company's founder, even getting 50 mpg with lower emission levels than modern scooters of India.


I'm serious. If I could buy this car in the states, I would.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we haven't quite decided what our ultimate transportation plan is. We've successfully navigated through the last few weeks sharing one car. And there have been no major logistical problems so far. But I do think we'll have to get something here fairly soon. We're trying to weigh the options of buy or lease, hybrid or not, etc.

Sharing a car has certainly made us think more about the trips that we make and how we can most efficiently make those trips that are necessary. Considering how annoyingly liberal and environmental we already were, that's an accomplishment.

"It wasn't the Exxon Valdez captain's driving that caused the Alaskan oil spill. It was yours." -- Greenpeace ad

8 comments:

shrimplate said...

I want one too. It seems good for short commutes and outings here in The Valley.

John said...

There is good reason why this car will never be sold here in the states. It looks as if a 30MPH crash would outright kill you. I am sure that your life is worth more than $2500.

Look at the much larger G-Wiz results: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGjvt8tqRYc

dbackdad said...

Oh, that doesn't look so bad. I'll just have to drive 20 MPH. Sheesh!

Laura said...

Did you ever consider a scooter for short, local trips as an alternative to another car? Not sure how practical that would be, but a lot of people do it here in Chicago and are out on scooters in all but the worst weather...

Oh, and John said to tell you that in order to get the dummy out of that car after the 30mph crash they had to cut its legs off... ever consider a motorized wheelchair? ;P

dbackdad said...

lol. Legs are overrated.

Actually, Michelle did mention a motorized scooter. It's still one of the options being considered. Her commute is not a major traffic route and she would be driving before rush hour coming and going.

CyberKitten said...

Isn't it the kind of car you keep in the trunk as a spare in case you break down anywhere?

[rotflmao]

Kinda cute though!

shrimplate said...

For that price you could buy one in each color it comes in.

Sure, an H2 could be safer, I suppose. But what if you're buzzing along at 80 m.p.h. out on the Snotsdale 101 in your Hummer and you get hit by a semi?

dbackdad said...

SP -- Exactly. Part of the reason the smaller cars may not be the safest is because everyone else is driving tanks. In Europe and elsewhere, they don't have the Freudian preoccupation with size that we seem to have here.